Vehicle Closure Assembly With Sealed Split Between Independently Selectable Closure Panels

ABSTRACT

A split vehicle closure assembly for a vehicle utilizes a novel seal assembly, latching mechanism and hinges, all of which cooperate to permit the vehicle closure assembly to selectively seal an opening to a vehicle compartment, preventing, dirt, liquid and fumes from entering through the vehicle closure assembly, or to be opened partially or fully to provide various configurations for access to the compartment through the opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vehicle closure assembly having twoside-by-side closure panels defining a split with a seal therebetweenand each independently pivotable between an open and a closed positionrelative to an opening between adjacent vehicle cargo compartmentswithout interference with the seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to provide side-by-side closure panels toselectively close off an opening to a vehicle compartment, such as apickup truck bed. Such closure panels may be reconfigured between closedand open positions to allow access between adjacent compartments. Forexample, both closure panels may be closed, both may be opened, a firstmay be closed while the second is open or the second may be closed whilethe first is open. This design flexibility enhances vehicle utility byallowing various configurations to fit customer needs. For example, ifthe closure panels are a midgate separating a truck bed from a passengercompartment, and the customer desires to transport cargo that is longerthan the truck bed length, one of the closure panels may be open toallow cargo to extend from the truck bed into a portion of the passengercompartment. It is desirable to offer such user flexibility while stillensuring that the passenger compartment is sealed from outside elementswhen both closure panels are closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A split vehicle closure assembly for a vehicle utilizes a novel sealassembly, latching mechanism and hinges, all of which cooperate topermit the vehicle closure assembly to selectively seal an opening to avehicle compartment, preventing, dirt, liquid and fumes from enteringthrough the vehicle closure assembly, or to be opened partially or fullyto provide various configurations for access to the compartment throughthe opening. Specifically, a vehicle closure assembly includes first andsecond closure panels mounted side-by-side to a vehicle body. Theclosure panels are independently selectively pivotable with respect tothe vehicle body about at least one pivot axis between an open positionin which the respective closure panel does not close a respectiveportion of the opening, and a closed position in which the respectivepivoted panel closes the respective portion of the opening. The closurepanels define a split between themselves when both are in the closedposition. A seal assembly is connected to the closure panels along thesplit to seal the split when the opening is closed by the closurespanels, the seal assembly and closed closure panels thereby sealing theopening. Additionally, a hinge operatively connected to one of theclosures panels to permit the pivoting of that closure panel isconfigured to allow sufficient separation of the closure panels at theseal assembly, thus allowing the independent pivoting of the closurepanels to occur without interference from the seal assembly. The sealassembly has a seal portion on each of the closure panels. As usedherein “without interference from the seal assembly” means that the sealportions will not contact one another or any portion of the adjacentclosure panel in order to protect the integrity of the seal assembly.The independent pivoting allows access to the compartment throughdifferent portions of the opening, or through the entire opening if bothclosure panels are pivoted open.

In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle closure assembly includes afirst latching mechanism that selectively secures the closure panels toone another and releases the closure panels from one another. In oneembodiment, the first latching mechanism is operatively connected to thehinge, referred to as the first hinge, such that when the latchingmechanism is moved laterally, the first hinge moves laterally. The firsthinge has first and second sets of pins that establish different pivotaxes for the closure panel attached to the first hinge, referred to asthe first closure panel, depending on the position of the latchingmechanism. The different pivot axes establish two different swing arcsfor the first closure panel when pivoting. The different swing arcsprovide the separation needed at the split to protect the seal assemblyduring pivoting of the closure panels. The other closure panel has ahinge with a single pivot axis that is common with one of the pivot axesof the first hinge so that the closure panels may selectively be pivotedin unison. In this embodiment, laterally extending hooks that engagewith laterally extending retainers may be secured to the closure panels.The hooks engage with the retainers when the closure panels are in theclosed position, and are disengaged when the closure panels are openedby pivoting about the different pivot axes established when the latchingmechanism is unlatched.

In another embodiment, the first hinge includes a cam configured tocause the first closure panel to move laterally as it is pivoted,assuming the latching mechanism is unlatched to release the closurepanels from one another. The lateral movement creates the separation atthe vertical split to allow pivoting without interference from the sealassembly.

In another aspect of the invention, another latching mechanismselectively secures or releases the closure panels in the closedposition. The vehicle closure assembly may be a midgate closureassembly, in which case the latching mechanism may secure the closurepanels to and release the closure panels from a crossbar that spans theopening and is secured to the vehicle body.

The seal assembly may be configured according to many embodiments withinthe scope of the invention, including one in which a first seal portionon a first of the closure panels is configured to nest within a secondseal portion on the other of the closure panels when both closure panelsare in a closed position, to enhance sealing.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration in side fragmentary view of a vehiclebody with a midgate vehicle closure assembly sealing an opening betweenan interior passenger compartment and an exterior truck bed andincluding a collapsed vehicle seat;

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration in front view of a first embodimentof the vehicle closure assembly of FIG. 1 with first and second closurepanels both in closed positions defining a vertical split therebetween,with a midgate latching mechanism latched;

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 2A, with both the first and second closure panels inopen positions revealing a seal assembly at the vertical split and withthe midgate latching mechanism unlatched;

FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 2A with a first of the closure panels in an openposition and a second of the closure panels in a closed position andwith the midgate latching mechanism unlatched;

FIG. 2D is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 2A with the second closure panel in an open positionand the first closure panel in a closed position and with the midgatelatching mechanism unlatched;

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration in front view of a second embodimentof the vehicle closure assembly of FIG. 1 with first and second closurepanels both in closed positions, a midgate latching mechanism latchedand a hinge in partial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 3A with first and second closure panels both in openpositions, the midgate latching mechanism latched and the hinge inpartial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 3A with first and second closure panels both in closedpositions, the midgate latching mechanism unlatched and the hinge inpartial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3D is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 3A with first and second closure panels both in openpositions, the midgate latching mechanism unlatched and the hinge inpartial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3E is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 3A with the first closure panel in an open position andthe second closure panel in a closed position, the midgate latchingmechanism unlatched and the hinge in partial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3F is a schematic illustration in front view of the vehicle closureassembly of FIG. 3A with the first closure panel in a closed positionand the second closure panel in an open position, the midgate latchingmechanism unlatched and the hinge in partial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 4A is a schematic fragmentary illustration in bottom view of theseal assembly and closure panels of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B is a schematic fragmentary illustration in bottom view of theseal assembly and closure panels of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 5A is a schematic fragmentary illustration in bottom view of theseal assembly and closure panels of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 5B is a schematic fragmentary illustration in bottom view of theseal assembly and closure panels of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 5C is a schematic fragmentary illustration in perspective view ofthe seal assembly and closure panels of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration in front view of the midgatelatching mechanism and the hinge of the first closure panel of thevehicle closure assembly of FIGS. 3A-3F with the hinge shown in partialcross-sectional view, the closure panels shown in phantom and themidgate latching mechanism latched;

FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration in front view of the midgatelatching mechanism and the hinge of the first closure panel of FIG.3A-3F with the hinge shown in partial cross-sectional view, the closurepanels shown in phantom and the midgate latching mechanism unlatched;

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view of the midgate vehicle closureassembly of FIGS. 3A-3F, with the closure panels rotated;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration in partial cross-sectional side viewof the crossbar and the second closure panel of FIG. 2C with a portionof the seal assembly thereon;

FIG. 9A is a schematic perspective illustration of an upper portion of ahinge included in the vehicle closure assembly of FIG. 2A, having afirst portion of a cam;

FIG. 9B is a schematic perspective illustration of a lower portion ofthe hinge included in the vehicle closure assembly of FIG. 2A, having asecond portion of a cam; and

FIG. 9C is a schematic perspective illustration of the upper and lowerportions of the hinge of FIGS. 9A and 9B assembled with the first andsecond portions of the cam nested within one another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to likecomponents, FIG. 1 shows a portion of a vehicle 10 with a vehicle bodyincluding a vehicle floor assembly 12 and an upper body portion 14, suchas a roof and sidewall assembly. A vehicle closure assembly 16 dividesan interior passenger compartment 18 from a cargo compartment 20, formedin part by a trunk bed portion 22 of the floor assembly 12, serving as amidgate closure assembly. A vehicle seat 23 is shown in a collapsedposition in the interior passenger compartment 18. The vehicle closureassembly 16 utilizes a novel seal assembly, latching mechanism andhinges, all of which cooperate to permit the vehicle closure assembly 16to selectively seal the interior passenger compartment 18 from dirt,liquid and fumes in the cargo compartment 20, or to be opened partiallyor fully to provide various configurations for access to the interiorpassenger compartment 18 from the cargo compartment 20, such as forloading cargo longer than the cargo compartment 20.

The vehicle closure assembly 16 includes two side-by-side closure panels24 and 25, better viewed in FIG. 2A, only one of which (closure panel24) is visible in the side view of FIG. 1. The closure panel 24 issecured at a hinge 26 to the floor assembly 12 and by a crossbar latchassembly (not shown in FIG. 1; discussed further below) to a crossbar28. A glass panel 30 is secured between the crossbar 28 and the upperbody portion 14, and is preferably selectively removable, as is known inthe art.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the vehicle closure panel assembly 16 is viewedlooking rearward from inside the interior passenger compartment 18(shown in FIG. 1), with both closure panels 24, 25 in a closed position.As used herein, closure panel 24 is referred to as the second closurepanel and closure panel 25 is referred to as the first closure panel.The closure panels 24, 25 are of different sizes in order to providedifferent ways to access the interior passenger compartment 18 throughthe closure assembly 16 to allow different combinations of cargocapacity to interior compartment seating capacity, as described below.For example, with the interior surface area of closure panel 25 to theinterior surface area of closure panel 24 may be approximately a 60:40ratio, as viewed in FIG. 2A. The closure panels 24, 25 are supported onrespective hinge assemblies 26, 29. In FIG. 2A, the closure panels 24,25 are latched to one another by a midgate latching assembly 32. Themidgate latching assembly 32 includes a lever 33 connected with an arm35 captured within a recess in closure panel 25 to secure the closurepanels 24, 25 to one another for side-by-side, parallel alignment. Thelever 33 may be moved to a release position 33A to release the midgatelatching assembly 32 so that the closure panels 24, 25 are no longerconstrained in parallel alignment by the midgate latching assembly 32.

The closure panels 24, 25 are also latched to the crossbar 28 by acrossbar latching assembly that includes an actuating handle 34 andlatch/striker assemblies 36, 38. The handle 34 may be moved to releasethe latch/striker assemblies 36, 38 so that the closure panels 24, 25are no longer secured to the crossbar 28. Many types of latch/strikerassemblies that may be actuated by movement of a handle are known tothose skilled in the art. For example, movement of the handle 34 maycomplete and electrical circuit to power small motors within thecrossbar 28 that disengage latches from the strikers in thelatch/striker assemblies 36, 38 to release the closure panels 24, 25from the crossbar 28. Any known designs may be used for the actuatinghandle 34 and latch/striker assemblies 36, 38.

The closure panels 24, 25 define a vertical split 40 at their adjacentedges 41, 43. A seal assembly 42 is secured to the adjacent edges toseal the vertical split 40 when the closure panels 24, 25 are both inthe closed position, as shown in FIG. 2A. The seal assembly 42 is bestshown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In FIG. 5A, the seal assembly 42 is shown in anested, sealing position achieved when the closure panels 24, 25 aresecured to one another by the midgate latching assembly 32 in a latchedposition. A first seal portion 44 of the seal assembly 42 is secured tothe closure panel 25 along the length of the edge 41 forming thevertical split 40 (as shown in FIG. 5C). A flexible seal member 45 issecured to the first seal portion 44. A second seal portion 46 of theseal assembly 42 is secured to the closure panel 24 along the edge 43forming the vertical split 40 (as shown in FIG. 5C). (Only the bottomend of the seal assembly 42 and closure panels 24, 25 are shown in FIGS.5A, 5B, perpendicular to the edges 41, 43 and vertical split 40 shown inFIGS. 2A and 5C.) When the closure panels 24, 25 are latched to oneanother by the midgate latching assembly 32, the portions 44, 46 of theseal assembly 42 are tightly compressed to one another to seal thevertical split 40. The sealing function of the seal assembly 42 is aidedby the hinge 26. The hinge 26 includes and upper hinge portion 50secured to the closure panel 24 and a lower hinge portion 53 secured tothe floor assembly 12. The upper hinge portion 50 (and thus closurepanel 24) is permitted slight lateral or side-to-side movement withrespect to the fixed lower hinge portion 53. A spring 48 biases theupper hinge portion 50 and closure panel 24 toward the left in FIG. 2A(i.e., toward the other closure panel 25). Similarly, an upper hingeportion 51 of hinge 29 is secured to closure panel 25 and a lower hingeportion 55 is secured to the floor assembly 12. The upper hinge portion51 (and thus closure panel 25) is permitted slight lateral orside-to-side movement with respect to fixed lower portion 55. A spring49 included in hinge 29 biases the upper hinge portion Sland closurepanel 25 toward the right in FIG. 2A (i.e., toward closure panel 24).Movement of the lever 33 to the latched position thus pulls the closurepanel 24 slightly to the left in FIG. 2A to tightly seal the verticalsplit 40. With the closure panels 24, 25 in the closed position of FIG.2A and the seal assembly 42 tightly sealed, the midgate latchingassembly 32 seals an opening 27 shown in FIG. 2B defined by the floorassembly 12, the vehicle upper body portion 14, and the crossbar 28. Thesprings 48, 49 are biased to urge the panels 24, 25 toward one another,thus exerting a slight pressure to encourage sealing of the sealassembly 42.

When both the crossbar latching mechanism 34, 36, 38 and the midgatelatching mechanism 32 have been released, the closure panels 24, 25 mayboth be rotated about respective hinge pivot axes A1, A2 to the openpositions of FIG. 2B. The hinge

Referring to FIG. 9C, the hinge 29 is shown with the cam 52 incorporatedin the upper and lower hinge portions 51, 55 to permit the lateralmovement of the closure panel 25 of FIG. 2A when the closure panel 25 ispivoted downward to an open position. Referring to FIG. 2A, the upperhinge portion 51 includes a cam portion 52A, which is preferably astamped, crescent shaped recess in the side of the hinge, with an upperrecessed portion 57A of about 10 mm depth, a lower recessed portion 57Bof 0 mm depth, with the cam portion 52A tapering between the two depthsto form a ramp-like surface. Referring to FIG. 2B, the lower hingeportion 52 includes a cam portion 52B that is substantially identical tothe cam portion 52B, having an upper recessed portion 57C of about 10 mmdepth and a lower recessed portion 57B of about 0 mm depth. When thehinge portions 51, 55 are connected to the closure panel 25 and thefloor assembly 12, respectively as illustrated in FIG. 2A, with theclosure panel 25 in the closed position of FIG. 2A, the cam portions52A, 52B form the cam 52, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, with the camportions 52A, 52B nested within one another. As the closure panel 25 ispivoted to the lowered position of FIG. 2B, hinge portion 51 will rotatewith respect to hinge portion 55, with the cam portion 52A moving out ofnesting with cam portion 52B, and the closure panel 25 moving slightlyto the left to enable seal portion 44 to separate from seal portion 46,as illustrated in FIG. 2B when the midgate latching assembly 32 isunlatched. If the midgate latching assembly 32 is latched, the closurepanel 25 will still move to the left due to the cam 52, but closurepanel 24 will also move to the left, as permitted by the spring 48, andthe seal portions 44, 46 will remain sealed together.

With the closure panels 24, 25 in the open positions of FIG. 2B, theseal portions 44, 46 are sufficiently separated due to the cam action ofthe cam 52 shown in FIG. 2A (i.e., converting rotary motion into linearmotion), that either of the closure panels may now be returned to theopen positions of FIG. 2A independently of the other closure panelwithout interfering with the seal (i.e., without the two seal portions44, 46 contacting one another). Referring to FIG. 2C, the closure panel24 is returned to the open position by pivoting about axis A2. In theconfiguration of FIG. 2C, the opening 27 is accessible above openclosure panel 25 to allow about 60 percent access through the opening 27between the cargo compartment 20 and the interior compartment 18 ofFIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2D, instead of closing closure panel 24,closure panel 25 is returned to the closed position so that the opening27 is accessible above closure panel 24 to allow about 40 percent accessthrough the opening 27 between the cargo compartment 20 and the interiorcompartment 18 shown in FIG. 1. In order to close and seal the entireopening 27 when in either of the configurations of FIGS. 2C and 2D,first, the closure panel that is in the closed position is reopened, andboth closure panels 24, 25 are pivoted at the same time to the closedposition of FIG. 2A. The midgate latching mechanism 32 and the crossbarlatching mechanisms 34, 36, 38 are then re-secured.

It should be appreciated that, in addition to the seal assembly 42 atthe vertical split 40, the closure panels 24, 25 are also sealed at therespective lower edges with the floor, the side edges abutting thevehicle upper body portion 14 and the upper edges at the crossbar 28.All of these sealing surfaces are with stationary members (i.e., thefloor assembly 12, the upper body portion 14 and the crossbar 28) andthere are no similar potential wear issues as with the relative pivotingmotion of the abutting seal members 44, 46. For example, in FIG. 8, aside view of the seal member 46 secured to the closure panel 24 shows acrossbar seal member 54 secured to the crossbar 28 with a mucket 56extending toward the interior compartment 18. A mucket 58 is alsosecured to the closure panel 24 to cooperate with mucket 56 in sealingbetween the crossbar 28 and the closure panel 24. Finally, a seal flange60 extends along the top of the closure panel 24 to deflect moisturefrom entering between the crossbar 28 and the closure panel 24. Asimilar sealing arrangement is employed at the upper edge of closurepanel 25 (not shown in FIG. 8) and at the lower edge of each closurepanel 24, 25, between the closure panels 24, 25 and the floor assembly20.

Referring to FIG. 3A, another embodiment of a vehicle closure assembly116 is illustrated. The vehicle closure assembly 116 may be positionedin a vehicle similarly to vehicle closure assembly 16 of FIG. 1 toseparate an interior passenger compartment from a cargo compartment andto selectively close and seal an opening therebetween and establishdifferent configurations permitting access to the interior compartmentfrom the cargo compartment through the opening, as discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the vehicle closure assembly 116 includes twoside-by-side closure panels 124 and 125. The closure panel 124 issecured at a hinge 126 to a floor assembly 112 and by a crossbar latchassembly to a crossbar 128. A glass panel 130 is secured between thecrossbar 128 and an upper body portion 114, and is preferablyselectively removable, as is known in the art. The vehicle closureassembly 116 is viewed looking rearward from inside the interiorpassenger compartment, with both closure panels 124, 125 in a closedposition. As used herein, closure panel 124 is referred to as the secondclosure panel and closure panel 125 is referred to as the first closurepanel. The closure panels 124, 125 are of different sizes in order toprovide different ways to access the interior compartment through theclosure assembly 116 to allow different combinations of cargo capacityto interior compartment seating capacity, as described below. Theclosure panels are supported on respective hinges 126, 129.

The closure panels 124, 125 are latched to the crossbar 128 by acrossbar latching assembly that includes an actuating handle 134 andlatch/striker assemblies 136, 138. The handle 134 may be moved torelease the latch/striker assemblies 136, 138 so that the closure panels124, 125 are no longer secured to the crossbar 128. Many types oflatch/striker assemblies that may be actuated by movement of a handleare known to those skilled in the art. For example, movement of thehandle 134 may complete an electrical circuit to power small motorswithin the crossbar 128 that disengage latches from the strikers in thelatch/striker assemblies 136, 138 to release the closure panels 124, 125from the crossbar 128. Any known designs may be used for the actuatinghandle 134 and latch/striker assemblies 136, 138.

In FIG. 3A, the closure panels 124, 125 are latched to one another by amidgate latching assembly 132. The midgate latching assembly 132includes a lever 133 connected with an arm 135 that is captured within arecess in closure panel 125 to secure the closure panels 124, 125 to oneanother for side-by-side, parallel alignment. The lever 133 may be movedto a release position shown in FIG. 3C to release the midgate latchingassembly 132 so that the closure panels 124, 125 are no longerconstrained in parallel alignment by the midgate latching assembly 132.As explained further below, the midgate latching assembly 132 includes aleg 137 that moves laterally with the lever 133. Movement of the arm 135and leg 137 are guided by support guides 139 connected to the interiorof the closure panel 125.

The closure panels 124, 125 are also latched to the crossbar 128 by acrossbar latching assembly that includes an actuating handle 134 andlatch/striker assemblies 136, 138. The handle 134 may be moved torelease the latch/striker assemblies 136, 138 so that the closure panels124, 125 are no longer secured to the crossbar 128. Many types oflatch/striker assemblies that may be actuated by movement of a handleare known to those skilled in the art. For example, movement of thehandle 134 may complete an electrical circuit to power small motorswithin the crossbar 128 that disengage latches from the strikers in thelatch/striker assemblies 136, 138 to release the closure panels 124, 125from the crossbar 128. Any known designs may be used for the actuatinghandle 134 and latch/striker assemblies 136, 138.

The closure panels 124, 125 define a vertical split 140 at theiradjacent edges 141, 143. A seal assembly 142 is secured to the adjacentedges 141, 143 to seal the vertical split 140 when the closure panels124, 125 are both in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2A. The sealassembly 142 is best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 4A, the sealassembly 142 is shown in a sealing position achieved when the closurepanels 124, 125 are secured to one another by the midgate latchingassembly 132 in a latched position. A first seal portion 144 of the sealassembly 142 is secured to the closure panel 125 along the length of theedge 141 forming the vertical split 140. A second seal portion 146 ofthe seal assembly 142 is secured to the closure panel 124 along the edge143 forming the vertical split 140. Flexible seal members 145A and 145Bare secured to or form a part of the seal portions 144, 146,respectively. (Only the bottom end of the seal assembly 142 and closurepanels 124, 125 are shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, perpendicular to the edges141, 143 and vertical split 140.) When the closure panels 124, 125 arelatched to one another by the midgate latching assembly 132, theportions 144, 146 and seal members 145A, 145B of the seal assembly 142are tightly compressed to one another to seal the vertical split 140.The sealing function of the seal assembly 142 is aided by the hinge 126.The hinge 126 includes an upper hinge portion 150 secured to the closurepanel 124 and a lower hinge portion 153 secured to the floor assembly112. The upper hinge portion 150 (and thus closure panel 124) ispermitted slight lateral or side-to-side movement with respect to thefixed lower hinge portion 153. A spring 148 biases the upper hingeportion 150 and closure panel 124 toward the left in FIG. 3A (i.e.,toward the other closure panel 125). With the closure panels 124, 125 inthe closed position of FIG. 3A and the seal assembly 142 tightly sealed,the vehicle closure assembly 116 assembly seals an opening 127 shown inFIG. 3B defined by the floor assembly 112, the vehicle body 114, and thecrossbar 128.

A portion of the hinge 129 is rigidly connected with a leg 137 thatmoves laterally within the closure panel 125 when lever 133 is movedlaterally. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the leg 137extends through an opening in the bottom of the closure panel 125 toconnect with a post 160. Closure panels 124 and 125 are shown onlyschematically, and the seal assembly 142 is not shown. The post portion160 moves laterally within the bounds of an upper hinge portion 151secured to the closure panel 125 and a lower hinge portion 155 securedto the floor assembly 112. Supports 162 on either end of the post 160include a first set of pins 164A and 164B that extend laterally and arealigned with a first set of apertures 168 (shown in FIG. 6B) in theupper and lower hinge portions 151, 155. The supports 162 also include asecond set of pins 166A, 166B extending laterally in an opposingdirection than the first set of pins 164A, 164B. The second set of pins166A, 166B are aligned with a second set of apertures 170 in the upperand lower hinge portions 151, 155. When the lever 133 is moved in thedirection of arrow B to the far left position shown in FIG. 6A, the arm135 does not latch the closure panels 124, 125 to one another and thepost portion 160 moves with the leg 137 so that the first set of pins164A, 164B slide into apertures 168, establishing a pivot axis A3 forthe hinge 129 and closure panel 125 through the first set of pins 164A,164B.

When the lever 133 is moved in the direction of arrow C to the far rightposition of FIG. 6B, the arm 135 latches the closure panels 125 and 124together, and the second set of pins 166A, 166B slide into apertures170, establishing a pivot axis A4 for the hinge 129 and for both closurepanels 124, 125, as the pivot axis of hinge 126 is aligned with the setof pins 166A, 166B to share pivot axis A4, as indicated in FIG. 3A. Whenthe hinges 129 and 126 are on different pivot axes A3, A4, respectively,the closure panels 124, 125 pivot open and closed along different swingarcs, protecting the two seal portions 144, 146 (shown in FIG. 4B) fromcontact with one another during pivoting.

Referring to FIG. 3B, with the crossbar latching assembly 134, 136, 138unlatched, and the midgate latching assembly 132 latched as in FIG. 3A,the closure panels 124 and 125 are pivotable together about pivot axisA4 to the open positions shown in FIG. 3B to allow access to theinterior compartment (forward of opening 127) form the cargo compartment(rearward of opening 127). Referring again to FIG. 3A, when the midgatelatching assembly 132 is latched and the crossbar latching assembly 134,136, 138 is latched, the closure assembly 116 seals the opening 127 ofFIG. 3B with the seal assembly 142 tightly sealing the vertical split140, as illustrated in FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIG. 3C, to prepare to pivot one of the closure panels 124or 125 independently to provide partial access through opening 127 ofFIG. 3B, the lever 133 is moved to the unlatching position so that themidgate latching assembly 132 does not latch the closure panels 124, 125to one another and pivot axis A3 is established for closure panel 125.Assuming crossbar latching assembly 134, 136, 138 is unlatched, theclosure panels 124, 125 may be pivoted downward about their separatepivot axes A3, A4 to the open positions shown in FIG. 3D.

From the open positions of FIG. 3D or directly from the closed positionsof FIG. 3C, in both of which the midgate latching assembly 132 and thecrossbar latching assembly 134, 136, 138 are unlatched, theconfiguration of FIG. 3E may be established in which the closure panel125 is in the open position and the closure panel 124 is in the closedposition to allow access through the portion of opening 127 aboveclosure panel 125. Alternatively, from the open positions of FIG. 3D ordirectly from the closed positions of FIG. 3C, the configuration of FIG.3F may be established in which closure panel 124 is in the open positionand closure panel 125 is in the closed position to allow access throughthe portion of opening 127 above closure panel 124.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vehicle closure assembly 116 is illustratedwith the closure panels 124 and 125 in exploded, rotated viewdisassembled from hinges 126 and 129 to show the seal portions 144 and146 as well as seal members 145A and 145B. In this view, it is apparentthat laterally-extending hooks 174 are secured near the top and bottomof the closure panel 125 on the side with the seal portion 144.Laterally extending retainers 176 extend from the closure panel 124 onthe side with the second seal portion 146. When the closure panels areboth in the closed position, as in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the hooks 174 engagewith the retainers 176, to help retain closure panels 124, 125 inalignment as they pivot to the open positions of FIG. 3B. When themidgate latching assembly 132 is disengaged as in FIG. 3C to establishthe different pivot axes A3 and A4 for the closure panels 125, 124,respectively, the different swing arcs of the closure panels 124, 125will result in the hooks 174 being disengaged from the retainers 176 inthe fully open positions of FIG. 3D. Preferably, similar hooks andretainers are employed on the vehicle closure assembly 16 of FIGS.2A-2D. Such hooks will be engaged when both panels 24, 25 are in theclosed position and will thus alleviate the need for manual force tohold the panels 24, 25 together when latching and unlatching the midgatelatching assembly 32. The cam 52 will cause the hooks to separate fromthe retainers as the unlatched panels 24, 25 are lowered.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been describedin detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relateswill recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A vehicle closure assembly for selectively closing an opening to acompartment in a vehicle body, comprising: first and second closurepanels mounted side-by-side to the vehicle body; wherein the closurepanels are independently selectively pivotable with respect to thevehicle body about at least one pivot axis between an open position inwhich the respective closure panel does not close a respective portionof the opening, and a closed position in which the respective pivotedpanel closes the respective portion of the opening; wherein the closurepanels define a split therebetween when both are in the closed position;a seal assembly connected to the closure panels along the split to sealthe split when the opening is closed by the closures panels, the sealassembly and closed closure panels thereby sealing the opening; a hingeoperatively connected to one of the closures panels to permit pivotingof said one of the closure panels with respect to the vehicle body; andwherein the hinge is configured to allow sufficient separation of theclosure panels at the seal assembly to thereby permit said independentpivoting of the closure panels without interference from the sealassembly.
 2. The vehicle closure assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first latching mechanism operable to selectively securethe closure panels in the closed position and to selectively release theclosure panels to permit the closure panels to be pivoted to the openposition.
 3. The vehicle closure of claim 2, further comprising: acrossbar spanning the vehicle body laterally above the closures; andwherein the first latching mechanism selectively secures the closurepanels to and releases the closure panels from the crossbar.
 4. Thevehicle closure assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a secondlatching mechanism operable to selectively secure the first closurepanel to the second closure panel and to selectively release the closurepanels from one another.
 5. The vehicle closure assembly of claim 4,wherein said hinge is a first hinge; and further comprising: a secondhinge operatively connected to the other of the closure panels; whereinthe second latching mechanism is operatively connected with the firsthinge; wherein the second latching mechanism is selectively movablelaterally to thereby move the first hinge from a first lateral positionto a second lateral position when the second latching mechanism is movedlaterally; wherein the first and second hinges are aligned to establisha first of said at least one pivot axis when the first hinge is in thefirst lateral position to permit both of the closure panels to pivot inunison about the first pivot axis when latched to one another by thesecond latching mechanism; and wherein the first hinge establishes asecond of said at least one pivot axis for said one of said closurespanels when in the second lateral position to permit pivoting of theclosure panels about said respective first and second separate pivotaxes to thereby cause said separation of the closure panels at the sealassembly.
 6. The vehicle closure of claim 5, wherein the first hingeincludes a fixed portion secured to the vehicle body and a movableportion connected for lateral movement with the second latchingmechanism; and wherein the movable portion includes first and secondoffset pins selectively alternately engagable with the fixed portion asthe first hinge moves from the first lateral position to the secondlateral position to establish the first and second pivot axes.
 7. Thevehicle closure assembly of claim 4, wherein the hinge includes a camconfigured to cause said one of said closure panels to move laterally asthe said one of said closure panels is pivoted when the closure panelsare released from one another by the second latching mechanism.
 8. Thevehicle closure of claim 4, further comprising: a laterally-extendinghook connected to one of the closure panels and a laterally-extendingretainer connected to the other of the closure panels; and wherein thehook engages the retainer when the closure panels are both in the closedposition and is disengaged from the retainer when the closure panels areboth in the open position and the second latching mechanism isunlatched.
 9. The vehicle closure of claim 1, wherein the seal assemblyincludes a first seal portion secured to one of the closure panels and asecond seal portion secured to the other of the closure panels; andwherein said first seal portion is configure to nest within the secondseal portion when the closure panels are both in the closed position toenhance sealing.
 10. The vehicle closure of claim 1, wherein thecompartment is an interior passenger compartment; and wherein theclosure panels form a vehicle midgate between the compartment and avehicle bed.
 11. A vehicle closure assembly for selectively closing anopening in a vehicle body, comprising: first and second closure panelsmounted side-by-side to the vehicle body; wherein the closure panels arepivotable with respect to the vehicle body between an open position inwhich the opening is not closed by the closures, and a closed positionin which the respective pivoted panel closes a respective portion of theopening; wherein the closure panels define a split therebetween when inthe closed position; a seal assembly connected to the closure panelsalong the split to seal the vertical split when the opening is closed bythe closures panels, the seal assembly and closed closure panels therebysealing the opening; a latching mechanism operable to selectively securethe first closure panel to the second closure panel and to selectivelyrelease the closure panels from one another; a first hinge operativelyconnected to one of the closures panels to permit pivoting of said oneof the closure panels with respect to the vehicle body; a second hingeoperatively connected to the other of the closure panels; wherein thesecond latching mechanism is operatively connected with the first hingeand is selectively movable laterally to thereby move said first hingefrom a first lateral position to a second lateral position; wherein saidfirst and second hinges are aligned to establish a first pivot axis forboth of the closure panels when the first hinge is in the first lateralposition to permit both of the closure panels to pivot in unison aboutthe first pivot axis when latched to one another by said latchingmechanism; and wherein the first hinge establishes a second axis ofrotation for said one of said closures panels when in the second lateralposition to permit independent pivoting of said closure panels aboutsaid respective separate pivot axes with sufficient separation at thesplit such that said independent pivoting is without interference fromthe seal assembly.
 12. The vehicle closure assembly of claim 11, whereinthe opening is between two compartments defined by the vehicle body. 13.A vehicle closure assembly for selectively closing an opening in avehicle body, comprising: first and second closure panels mountedside-by-side to the vehicle body; wherein the closure panels arepivotable with respect to the vehicle body between an open position inwhich the opening is not closed by the closures, and a closed positionin which the respective pivoted panel closes a respective portion of theopening; wherein the closure panels define a split therebetween when inthe closed position; a seal assembly connected to the closure panelsalong the split to seal the split when the opening is closed by theclosures panels, the seal assembly and closed closure panels therebysealing the opening; a latching mechanism operable to selectively securethe first closure panel to the second closure panel and to selectivelyrelease the closure panels from one another; a hinge operativelyconnected to one of the closure panels to permit pivoting of said one ofthe closure panels with respect to the vehicle body; wherein said hingeincludes a cam configured to cause said one of said closure panels tomove laterally with respect to the other closure panel as the said oneof said closure panels is pivoted when said closure panels are releasedfrom one another by said second latching mechanism; and wherein saidseal assembly includes a first seal portion secured to one of theclosure panels and a second seal portion secured to the other of theclosure panels; and wherein said first portion nests within said secondportion when the closure panels are both in the closed position toenhance sealing.